3. Australia (2001)

This match is to feature on our Big Moments series as well and why not. Not every day comes back from follow-on to win a test. At the start of the 4^th day, India was trailing by 20 runs with 6 wickets to spare in their second innings. No one could have expected it but the pair remained unbeaten throughout the day and returned with a lead of 315. They had batted the entire day without losing a wicket and taking India to a strong position. Laxman had scored a humongous 281 and Dravid finally fell for 180 on the last day.

On the last day, Australia were set a daunting target of 384 to win in 75 overs. Till three-fifths of the match, a draw seemed certain. However, the Turbanator struck with an unexpected fury scalped Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. Sachin Tendulkar also chipped in with two big wickets. The most important among them of Adam Gilchrist, who still holds the dubious distinction of being the only Aussie to score a king’s pair in a test match. As wickets fell, the inevitable seemed just around the corner.

It was a matter of time before the Aussies were bundled out for 212 on the cusp of Day 5. Also, India had become only the third team to win a test after having made to follow-on.